2 In recent years, we have witnessed many cities taking bold, new steps to put themselves on the world map. They are investing heavily in infrastructure and developments to attract investments and tourists. Singapore is doing the same, although we intend to lay no claim to building the tallest, largest or priciest structures.

3 We aim to transform Singapore into a vibrant global city. Our multicultural heritage, our clean and safe, yet modern and cosmopolitan society, can contribute to this transformation. We will capitalise on Singapore’s unique strengths as an island, with tropical climate to provide lush greenery within the city. At the same time, we want to enhance our multi-cultural and modern image to create exciting variety. This means not only building the new, but keeping our built heritage and unique areas where our social memories are rooted.

Development of a Distinctive Waterfront City

4 We are very blessed. Right in the heart of the city, we have large tracts of greenery and a huge expanse of water. We are endowed with major waterbodies such as Marina Bay, Marina Channel, Kallang Basin and Singapore River in the midst of our city. We will capitalize on these assets. We have the opportunity of extending the sense of “islandness” to the core of our city, to allow people to live, work and play closer to water and surrounded by lush greenery. This rare combination can create an unique Waterfront-City-in-a-Garden.

5 Indeed the creation of a waterfront city, or a Garden City By the Bay, is one of the major thrusts of making Singapore a vibrant global city. We have already embarked on the development of Marina Bay, a 24/7 work, live and play environment that integrates residential living, business centres and entertainment facilities.

Within the next 5 years, we will see the development of the Business and Financial Centre (BFC), the Integrated Resort (IR), the waterfront promenade and bridges, and the adaptive reuse of Collyer Quay. The Marina Barrage, New Clifford Pier and the Singapore Flyer will also be completed.

6 But our developments need not stop there. To capitalize on the water assets and enlarge the scale of our water front city, we will be extending the development focus to include Marina Channel and Kallang Basin. This extended stretch of waterbody can be used as a stage for international events and special events for our people.

7 Surrounding Marina Bay will be three world-class waterfront gardens. Each garden will feature a distinctive design and character. Collectively, the gardens will form a public waterfront loop interwoven with urban developments, and offer a diversity of activities in a scenic setting. In the water, activities such as dragon boat races in Marina Bay, Kallang River and the Marina Channel will be encouraged.

8 To realise the vision for the larger Marina Bay, URA’s role as the Development Agency for Marina Bay will be extended to cover this larger Marina Bay area. As the lead agency, URA will take a holistic approach to spearhead initiatives, coordinate the physical planning of the sites and programming of events and activities, implement infrastructure, and promote and market the area. It will work with relevant agencies and private stakeholders to ensure that the above functions are well coordinated and streamlined in support of the vision for the ‘Greater Marina Bay’.

9 While the development of major attractions and developments at the Greater Marina Bay takes place, we will need more initiatives to make the Greater Marina Bay area a truly distinctive waterfront city. Let me mention 3 such efforts.

More green open spaces

10 The first is the encouragement of landscaping and skyrise greenery. Well-landscaped open spaces provide visual and physical relief from the dense urban environment of the city. Such spaces can contribute to Singapore’s ‘Garden City’ image and differentiate developments around Marina Bay. Green spaces need not be at the ground level only, but can also be designed vertically within buildings.

11 We will be studying guidelines to require new buildings in the Central and Bayfront areas at Marina Bay to develop landscaped open spaces in their developments. An excellent public example is the upcoming Marina Barrage pumphouse and visitor centre, which will have a sloping open green roof for the public to use and enjoy.

12 Developers can creatively implement the landscape greenery in their developments. These could include sky terraces, balconies, viewing decks or roof gardens. As such features enhance the attractiveness of the developments, many developers are already implementing sky-rise greenery on their own. For instance, One George Street and The Icon are already successfully integrating landscaped spaces into the overall design of the building. They have given feedback that such landscape spaces within their buildings contribute to the ambience and creates value for the development. Our tropical climate also gives us an advantage in enabling the successful implementation of such greening efforts.

13 URA is studying the guidelines on skyrise greenery for the Bay and will announce the policy separately. We welcome your views on the matter. We want to make Marina Bay a place for everyone to enjoy.

The new gardens and vertical greening of developments at the Bay will allow visitors, workers and residents alike to enjoy the lush, tropical open spaces within their developments and around Marina Bay.

Creating the buzz

14 The second thrust will be to encourage activities in and by the Bay. For the Bay area to be full of life, it is critical to have events and activities that create a `sense of place’ and attract people. The larger Marina Bay will be an excellent venue for various events.

15 Recently, we hosted the F1 Powerboats. High-powered speed-boats raced around the Bay area against the backdrop of Singapore’s skyline.

16 We’re now looking at how we can enjoy other celebrations, events, and activities at Marina Bay. For a start, we intend to make Marina Bay the site of mega celebrations, such as National Day Parades and New Year’s Eve celebrations, which will bring both overseas visitors and locals together to participate in these signature events.

17 We look forward to partnerships with industry players like yourselves in suggesting and supporting mega events in the Bay area.

Promoting Excellent Design At Waterfront

18 The third is to ensure excellent architecture and urban design at the waterfront. Our city’s waterfronts will be Singapore’s face to the world. We must ensure that every new development along the waterfront will be of high quality. Whether it is a private commercial or residential development like the BFC, a public project like the Marina Barrage, or a recreational development like the Integrated Resort, the quality of the building design should be distinctive and in keeping with the vision of a world-class waterfront city.

19 I have earlier announced the A&UD category of the President’s Design Award. This is in addition to URA’s programme to promote A&UD excellence, and the use of Design Advisory Panels to guide the design of key public projects, such as the Marina Barrage. We hope that such awards and incentives will encourage building owners to create distinctive and functional developments at the Bay area. With most of the area undeveloped, the Bay area provides a wonderful opportunity for industry players to create something unique that will not only enhance the area, but enable us to leave a mark of our creativity in a strategic area.

Conclusion

20 Our future downtown at Marina Bay is an exciting and important project for Singapore. This conference provides an excellent platform for the exchange of ideas on waterfront developments. I believe that our planners and architects have much to learn from cities that have already found success. I wish you a fruitful and interesting conference.

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